Obasanjo: How Abdulsalami assisted me to sustain democracy

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has disclosed how former Head of State Abdulsalami Abubakar assisted in sustaining Nigeria’s Democracy after handing over power in 1999. While describing him as a great military leader, patriot and peacemaker, Obasanjo said Abdulsalami always comes to him with “a piece of paper” on how he sees the situation in country […]

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has disclosed how former Head of State Abdulsalami Abubakar assisted in sustaining Nigeria’s Democracy after handing over power in 1999.

While describing him as a great military leader, patriot and peacemaker, Obasanjo said Abdulsalami always comes to him with “a piece of paper” on how he sees the situation in country and how it can be addressed.

Obasanjo made the disclosure during the presentation of three books in honour of General Abdulsalami on his 84th birthday, in Abuja on Saturday.

He described himself as a direct participant, saying, “I should tell this August assembly that not only did you initiate and ensure the restoration of democracy. You sustained it, not only because of the peace that you worked with other people, but the way you actually work with me after I took over.

“How can I forget how regularly you come with a piece of paper with all the points that you wanted to discuss with me about what is going on, about what should be done, about how you saw things? And we sat down. And we looked at them one by one.

“I answer what could be answered on the spot. And what could not be answered on the spot? I give you an answer within 24 hours. That was a magnificent way of sustaining what you have initiated, and I cannot thank you enough.”

He explained that, as a leader he has learnt so many things from Abdulsalami, especially in the area of consultation, commending him on how he was able to navigate the country, immediately after the demise of Late General Sani Abacha.

“Your next move was how to get MKO Abiola release. And you got me regularly informed and also to relate messages to the family. Kola was already in Abuja to pick up his father when we unexpected happen. I remember you telling me on telephone, ‘Our man is dead,’” Obasanjo recalled.

“Who is our man? Was my question and I screamed… when you mentioned Abiola. And again, following advice, you handled post-Abiola demands and within less than one year of your taking office, we had democracy restored.”